"Honest" is the ninth track from Illuminate.

In this song, Shawn is … Read Full Bio ↴"Honest" is the ninth track from Illuminate.

In this song, Shawn is being frank with the girl and is telling her that he can’t give her what she needs and she deserves way more then what he can promise. Although both of them liked each other at first, now it has developed into a one-sided relationship.

Honest
Shawn Mendes Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Oh, yeah
Hey, how's it going?
Can you meet me down on Adelaide street?
Can you talk for a moment
There's no way to say this that easily
And everything I said, I swear I meant it
I need to tell you that this isn't your fault
And I know that I'll probably regret it

And it kills me 'cause the worst part of all

It's that I hate to hurt you
But I got to be honest
I can't give you what you need, oh
You deserve more than I can promise
And I'm just tryna, I'm just tryna
Baby, I'm just tryna be honest, yeah
I'm tryna be honest with ya
You know that I'm sorry
But I'm tryna be honest with ya

Hey, can you listen?
I swear to God to you, there's nobody else
You're gonna say that I'm lyin'
When I tell you every feeling I felt
Was honest and sincere
And that you were different
And when we kissed I felt like that kid in love, yeah
And I know that I'll probably regret it
I might wish I never said this at all

Oh, I hate to hurt you
But I got to be honest
I can't give you what you need, oh
You deserve more than I can promise

And I'm just tryna, I'm just tryna
Baby, I'm just tryna be honest, yeah
I'm tryna be honest with ya
You know that I'm sorry
But I'm tryna be honest with ya

Oh, oh, oh
I don't wanna see you cry
Oh, oh, oh
Swear that I don't wanna see you cry

'Cause I hate I hurt you
But I gotta be honest
I can't give you what you need, oh
You deserve more than I can promise
And I'm just tryna, I'm just tryna
Baby, I'm just tryna be honest

I hate I hurt you
But I got to be honest
That I can't give you what you need, oh
You deserve more than I can promise
And I'm just tryna, I'm just tryna
Baby, I'm just tryna be honest

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Shawn Mendes's song "Honest" tell the story of a relationship that is coming to an end. The singer in the song can sense that his partner deserves better than what he can give them, and he feels the need to be painfully honest with them about his feelings. However, he also acknowledges that the truth might hurt them, and he hates having to be the one to cause them pain. He remembers the good times they shared and the way it felt when they were together, but ultimately, he knows that he can't continue the relationship.

The song is a heartfelt and emotional reflection on the difficulty of ending a relationship, and the lyrics effectively capture the vulnerability and honesty that both partners are struggling to come to terms with. Mendes's smooth, soulful vocals add an extra layer of emotional depth to the song, making it a powerful and moving piece of music.

Line by Line Meaning

Oh, yeah
Opening line to grab attention

Hey, how's it going?
Casual greeting before serious talk

Can you meet me down on Adelaide street?
Asking for a physical meet-up

Can you talk for a moment
Requesting a brief conversation

There's no way to say this that easily
Acknowledging the difficulty of what's about to be said

And everything I said, I swear I meant it
Affirming the sincerity of past words

I need to tell you that this isn't your fault
Ensuring the other person isn't to blame

And I know that I'll probably regret it
Expecting negative consequences for honesty

And it kills me 'cause the worst part of all
Expressing emotional pain related to situation

It's that I hate to hurt you
Expressing empathy towards the other person

But I got to be honest
Stating importance of honesty

I can't give you what you need, oh
Acknowledging incompatibility

You deserve more than I can promise
Recognizing limitations in fulfilling expectations

And I'm just tryna, I'm just tryna
Reiterating intention to be honest

Baby, I'm just tryna be honest, yeah
Reinforcing commitment to honesty

I'm tryna be honest with ya
Phrase emphasizing honesty

You know that I'm sorry
Offering apology for causing pain

Hey, can you listen?
Requesting full attention for next statement

I swear to God to you, there's nobody else
Claiming exclusivity in romantic interest

You're gonna say that I'm lyin'
Anticipating disbelief from the other person

When I tell you every feeling I felt
Asserting sincerity of past emotions

Was honest and sincere
Stating pure motives behind actions

And that you were different
Complimenting the other person

And when we kissed I felt like that kid in love, yeah
Sharing positive memories from relationship

I might wish I never said this at all
Anticipating potential regret for honesty

Oh, oh, oh
Lyrics for instrumental break

I don't wanna see you cry
Expressing desire to avoid causing tears

Swear that I don't wanna see you cry
Reiterating earlier statement

I hate I hurt you
Reflecting on causing pain

That I can't give you what you need, oh
Reiterating incompatibility

Baby, I'm just tryna be honest
Affirming honesty as driving motivation

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Peermusic Publishing, WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC
Written by: Shawn Mendes, Scott Harris Friedman

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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